Building a 5E3 Deluxe Guitar Amp From Scratch

This is a video documenting the process of building my version of the Fender 5E3 Deluxe. Here are some resources that I found useful during the build:
Rob Robinette's tube amp website: robrobinette.com/Amp_Stuff.htm
Uncle Doug's KZbin channel: / stratosaurus1
how to make a turret board: metrodcmusic.com/blogs/guitar...
finger joint router jig: • How to Make Box Joints...

[@johne1599]

WOW, Joe!! You're only 17 and want to go to college to be an engineer? I'm super impressed with your motivation and determination young man. Nice to see young people so beholden to carrying on the legacy of tube amps.

[@NostalgiaforInfinity]

Wait, he's only 17? I thought he was in his 30's or 40's. Pretty impressive work for a teenager.

[@gerardcousineau3478]

@@NostalgiaforInfinity very much so

[@philmayard4807]

It looks awesome , I love it,

[@ivermektin6874]

Thank you boomer.

[@joeles2738]

A couple notes after playing the amp for a few months: - don't cheap out on the speaker baffle wood like I did. I used scrap ply and it ended up warping a little bit, so I had to make a new speaker baffle. - use tougher grille cloth than I did. Another reason for my speaker baffle replacement was that the stretchy material I used got a little loose over time and I knew it wasn't doing much to protect the speaker. Now I'm using a tougher, non-stretchy acoustic fabric for the grille cloth. - I used some pretty low-quality tube sockets because I just bought the first ones that looked good, but they’re really loose and difficult to use so I’m replacing them with nicer ones.

[@user-oz5pv8ij1i]

Вам что комб не по карману?

[@FrankGegna]

@@user-oz5pv8ij1i what do you mean?

[@douro20]

You did quite good in terms of component quality, with the exception of the tube sockets. I would had bought Belton or NOS Cinch sockets and used those instead of those iffy Chinese ceramic sockets.

[@joeles2738]

@@douro20 I received this comment while in the process of replacing those tube sockets with beltons hahaha

[@jameschristensen1658]

Nice dude! Thanks for the tips!

[@jemwand2530]

I love the fact that the build isn't perfect, this is a superb example of imperfection being individual and a lesson along the path. Much respect Joe, excellent video.

[@joeles2738]

thank you!

[@joshsmith7033]

nice burn bruh...

[@cgavin1]

Great build dude! That G12Q speaker really impressed me. For me it was the icing on the cake of this build. I love how I can get lovely big rich cleans playing normally, but if I dig in, the speaker just EXPLODES. A lot of people hate early speaker breakup but for me its fantastic as it really adds that "melting tweed" vibe at usable volumes.

[@Green_House]

I built my first guitar amplifier using 12AT7 and KT66 valves when I was 16 years old, which was 50 years ago now! However, your workmanship is way better than mine. It all brings tears to my eyes. Congratulations on your achievement and keep up your good work.

[@joeles2738]

That's awesome to hear! I'm glad you enjoyed the build and thanks for the comment.

[@moviemaker3530]

The same for me. 50 years ago, I was 16 too. EF86,12AT7, GZ34 rectifier and an EL34 push pull. Congratulations, you work is much better than mine. Thank you for bringing me decades ago.

[@DonnTarris]

Fabulous job. It was great that you built every part from scratch. Your video is a joy to watch (3 years later), I'll bet the amp has brought you a lot of pleasure!!

[@rickhenry8760]

Beautiful work and the design is spot on ! Congrats on a well built amp !

[@robrobinette]

That's a really nice looking build.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! Your website made it a lot easier

[@kengevers8738]

Excellent, excellent, excellent job. It shows you are a resourceful young man. This will be a stepping stone to future builds. Good for you. Cheers🙂

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! There definitely will be more builds in the future

[@8-tracktheater262]

Thanks for taking the time to document your build. It sounds great.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

[@SalvvOrtiz]

Extraordinary job from a regular person. Very inspiring!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks 👌

[@barthrvatin8297]

Joe, great job! Not only was your planning and execution of the project impeccable, but your video showing all the steps is also exemplary. Keep going!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!

[@elams1894]

Well done! Great effort. I liked how you started again on the chassis. That's the kind of thing that I do as something like that keeps me up at night. Also taking the build outside to the yard, yep, can relate again. Beautiful result, great stuff!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! Watching your amp build a while ago was actually one of the first things that gave me the idea to do my first build (a champ) now that I think about it. And yeah I am really glad I started over on that chassis haha

[@MegaTubescreamer]

very nice work fella! thanks for showing this fine piece of kit ,cool clean tone, with nice and punchy overdriven sounds, admirable result ,

[@joeles2738]

glad you like it! thanks for the comment

[@The1jonnyz]

Really impressive job, especially with the "primitive" tools!! Sounds really nice too.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@aa3nk]

Thank you for the video. you did a great job, I love how it turned it out.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!! Glad you enjoyed the video

[@edstrine853]

Great job on the video as well as the amp! Thanks for sharing with us!

[@joeles2738]

Glad you liked it 👌

[@TheWickerShireProject]

Joe that was crazy good for a 1st build. Thanks for applying skill and labor to something you love. Was a good watch sir. I enjoyed it.

[@joeles2738]

I'm glad you enjoyed it! This actually wasn't my first build; I built a pretty rough-around-the-edges fender champ a couple years ago, but this was my first time really going all in and trying to make it look really good.

[@k.peterdingain2499]

Love the look and sound of your Amp, great work

[@joeles2738]

thanks! glad you like it

[@stratcat4450]

Very nice build. This video just popped up and I probably would have ignored it but when you mentioned Uncle Doug early on that was enough for me to watch it. Great work.

[@joeles2738]

haha thanks glad you ended up liking it

[@bubbafrump74]

Amazing job! I ended up here because I wanted to build my own tube amp. I have a huge box NOS tube from the 60/70's and I really wanted to make a few tube amps with them. I was ready to be COMPLETELY overwhelmed, but dag gummit, you made it look so clean and doable, I am no longer scared of trying it. Thank you so much for that! Well done!!!

[@fepatton]

Great build! I really like your solution to bending the chassis, and the pic taped to the turret board is genius. Amp sounds great, too!

[@joeles2738]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@thomasburnett4712]

Very nice job and a well done video! Nobody is perfect, some are just more skilled at concealing their mistakes. Your video could serve as an excellent tutorial for newbies!

[@ki4dbk]

Dynamite. Yes, Uncle Doug is the greatest tube amp repair site on all of KZbin. Rob Robinette has done an incredible job annotating schematics. Keep up the good work! I use a spring loaded auto punch prior to drilling.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! Yeah there's a lot of great information out there

[@bluesman608]

Beautiful tone, beautiful amp. Well done!

[@joeles2738]

thanks!!

[@Snakelegs-go8qo]

Awesome project Joe.. Well done

[@donnwilbers7203]

FANTASTIC WORK! I built a little 4-watt tube amp some years ago, so I know of the excitement involved. Good job.

[@joeles2738]

Yeah it’s super exciting! Thanks for the comment

[@geoffbuss3699]

Nice work. And good commentary too. So many people say the same thing 3 or 4 times in a row on these kind of videos but yours is concise and clear.

[@GregoryHillSr]

I like it when you switch channels and the camera/started shaking. Loved everything from start to finish!!

[@joeles2738]

Glad you liked the video! Thanks for the comment

[@-FukYoo-]

Wow! There IS hope for the future. BEAUTIFUL work. You are very skilled

[@joeles2738]

haha thank you, glad you liked it!

[@rickycompton2610]

I give you praise for this build I love how raw and vintage this amp looks I loved how you built your chassis and cabinet this amps sounds better than some boutique 2000 dollar amps.

[@joeles2738]

thank you! glad you like it

[@cpilg1070]

Great job, young man, very nice workmanship... Only thing I see that I would mention is the output transformer should be at a 90° to the power transformer (so 1/4 turn) to cancel a magnetic field for noise canceling purposes look it up on the channels you listed. It sounds good however and I wouldn't worry much about it, but something tells me you will be doing more of this. Knowledge is power, carry-on! ✌️👍

[@squidkid2]

Great job. The end product looks really nice and I like the natural wood finish.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!

[@paulmutter8301]

Very nice job, great sounds, well done to you

[@richb.4374]

This is an awesome build Joe!

[@joeles2738]

Glad you liked it 👌

[@ianmiller6707]

Dude everything about this is killer. Im mad jelly of that uberpick

[@joeles2738]

haha thanks that pick was $11 but honestly it was worth it lol

[@SandalGuy1]

Joe, nice cab build, looks great. Amp sounds fantastic. Great job!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!!

[@Finom1]

This was amazing. Bless you for doing this for your community!!! I am a new subscriber!!!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks for subscribing! Glad you liked the video

[@LassetUnsSpielen]

sick job on the metal-,wood- and electric work. looks like it was a lot of fun in the workshop.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! I definitely did enjoy the process.

[@ricofant]

Amazing job! This is perfectly inperfect . It's absolutely nice!! 🛠️✨👍

[@SHarris64]

Very nice job on the amp. I like it!! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@oldsilverdrew2471]

Well done- looks great. I especially like the exposed finger joints. Has a vintage look to it.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! I’m glad I decided not to cover it.

[@adenihil]

You’re pretty talented my friend… Thanks for showing us your skills. Good job. 👍🏼

[@tyremanguitars]

amazing! I like the fact you made your own aluminium cabinet enclosure as well as wiring it and doing the woodworking, sounds good as well.

[@joeles2738]

thanks! doing the chassis from scratch definitely added a lot of work to the project but it's cool having an end result that's 100% homemade.

[@michaelbill123]

Great job! When I was your age, I didn’t have the knowledge and skillset you have. I would be very proud of the job you did. Keep up the good work!!

[@joeles2738]

thank you!!

[@GMAtheory]

Wow dude...I was mesmerized watching this video. Hats off to you sir...nice job!

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@adamgorka368]

So cool!! Looks fabulous, sounds fabulous!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!

[@mostlyoldthings]

Nice job. Lots of very good tips in there, thanks very much for posting.

[@joeles2738]

You're welcome! I'm glad you found it helpful.

[@BillHertzing]

Thanks for taking the time to show this.

[@joeles2738]

You’re welcome! Thanks for the comment

[@johnbhumphrey]

You did an excellent job considering it's from scratch. Building from a kit is hard enough but to build your chassis from scratch and gather all the parts yourself proves your ambition. I would love to own that amp.

[@joeles2738]

thanks! there's definitely something cool about doing everything part of the amp yourself.

[@brentstewart59]

Pretty impressive for a first build Great job and major props to you for keeping it real... look here's where it could be better... Good job man

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!

[@unclebuck1735]

Great video and audio....you explained everything well.....good job...nice work.

[@joeles2738]

Glad you liked it!

[@DirkGentley42]

Fantastic! That's very inspiring. Thanks for documenting the process.

[@joeles2738]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@arnoldhugo6608]

amplifier clear sound cabinet box nice and clean and one thing I love is the vintage design good job sir.

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@gerrykavanagh]

Fantastic job, Joe. You should be proud.

[@theonlywaytogta6665]

I loved this video. It inspired me to do the same while convalescing from heart surgery. I haven't yet started an amp build project since short term disability doesn't pay much, but I hope to in the future. Thanks Joe, this was awesome.

[@joeles2738]

Thank you, that’s great to hear! Good luck on your project!

[@Tom-th1oy]

I think the best advice you gave was that you viewed other builders sites and KZbin channels, and learned a lot about what and what nHhstarted ordering anything. I also liked 🎉that you left the pine cabinet, and just poly or clear coated it, looks much nicer and more custom than had you covered it in tolex like everyone else does. Sounded good too, really nice job!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! Glad you like it

[@tjofott]

I really enjoyed watching that - you have great talents. Nice work!

[@joeles2738]

thanks! glad you liked it

[@stephenhill8991]

Nice job! Particularly good job on the cabinet btw 👍. I also built one of these amps from the Robinette schematics during 2020 lockdown..great little projects and they sound good 🙂

[@joeles2738]

Yeah it’s a really fun project and a great sounding amp

[@nerfnerfification]

Great video Joe - I especially liked the giant Chibson pick but the tones were nice and really juicy in parts - well done.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks, glad you liked it!

[@DetroitWrecker666]

REALLY nice job! Thanks for filming. I'm onto building the rob rob deluxe 5e3.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks, and good luck!!

[@wvhardyfamily]

I have built a few guitars but never thought about a custom Amp. Thank you for the inspiration.

[@joeles2738]

Nice, you should go for it!

[@perco754]

OMG, so impressed, super job all by hand using normal tools, big thanks for the inspiration, there’s hope :)

[@joeles2738]

thanks, glad you liked it!

[@dfgivens]

Wow, very nice amp! I want to try to lacquering canvas over a cabinet like this for a super-old school look. We have a saying: "A good solder joint starts with a good mechanical joint." In this case, pull the wire or component lead through the solder eye, and bring it back to itself. Don't twist it. Pinch them together forming a nice parallel section of 1/8" at the eye. (Meaning, don't leave a big stub.) Then flow a good solder mass that encapsulates the entire interface. It should look like it was dipped in thick molten metal that formed a teardrop shape...no rough surfaces or voids. That takes HEAT on the ENTIRE joint. Use plenty of flux and LOWER temp tin-lead solder for best results. Also, thermal cycling causes a lot of expansion & contraction in conductive material...any metal. So, leaving a little extra "service loop" adds tremendous life to those solder joints. (That just means leaving some extra lead length to prevent them being too tight...not an actual loop.) Finally, solder joints are the highest failure mode in this sort of device...meaning they crap-out first! Joints that look good, but weren't heated fully are the enemy: A "cold solder joint." They work when new, but die over time. Before they go completely, you often see resistance changes & intermittency. Avoid them by following my advice above. Good job on this...rock on brother!

[@bluesfool1]

Cool! Getting ready to build a kit amplifier from stew Mac so this was really helpful!

[@joeles2738]

Nice, glad it helped!

[@fiddlix]

Very nice original build on an OG classic. Great work.

[@joeles2738]

thank you!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

Top marks for using the "Template" and "well done" on the cabinet. I can imagine it in shrinking black gloss wood paint with laquer for some reason. The bigger cab dimensions are a great idea, I had a Blues dlux which I gutted and kept transformers and chassis and tweed cab(stained with shellac) the cab is bigger than a 59 type, put a Jensen P12Q in it and handwired an improvised an ab763 to run 2 6L6s with proper valve reverb simple bass/mid/treble. Keep it all simple as poss. Good stuff!

[@jeffwonk2024]

Lovely work!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@I_Medvedev]

Looks great dude! Well done

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!

[@USNVA-yn6cp]

Fantastic video Joe!!!!!!! Giving you tons of credit for doing it this way!!!!!! Youll hopefully influence others as well!

[@joeles2738]

Thank you! I hope so too.

[@meowlearnstolift]

it looks stunning, great job man

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@javilarg]

It sounds very nice and clean 👍🏻 great job 👏🏻

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@kevinjohnhustings1791]

Wow. Just wow. I really want to start building one and seeing this has given me the inspiration to do it. Luckily I have a lot of tools from 30 years of work but I will be please if mine is half as good as this.

[@like2view]

Very Impressed .. it turned out great and as I read .. you've already made upgrades and improvements. I think I too would go with a the natural finish if I had spent that the timed to build the cab! I would be such a noob with the electronics.. you've obviously got a good handle on what you're doing and taking a sensible approach to testing as you go along. Kudos!!

[@joeles2738]

Thank you! I also really like the natural wood look. Although it does probably make it a little less durable.

[@Casetube100]

Dude... what you did is completely insane... dang!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!! Glad you liked it

[@parachuteman4]

Great job. Sounds really good

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!

[@pablomusicgear7288]

Beautiful!!! And it sounds great as well!!!

[@joeles2738]

I’m glad you like it! Thanks for the comment

[@ryanfulldark2775]

Totally killer! Inspires me to make a Champ. That’s the amp I’ve always wanted to build. Great job man!

[@joeles2738]

thank you! good luck with the champ build!

[@Winterfell1066]

I LOVE this project! Great job. Keep it going.

[@joeles2738]

Thank you! I have another project in the works that should be done in a couple weeks 👀

[@Slugg-O]

Congratulations on your first and very nice build! You accomplished exactly what I wanted to do with my build by providing a very detailed description of every step. I tried to video mine and bailed about half way in because I would get wrapped up on the build and forget to record. The time I was spending to go back and reproduce a step or edit a screw up wasn't worth it to me. I'm not a patient person and the build really pushed my buttons a few times. I don't think the general viewer is aware of how much time is required to produce a quality, comprehensive amp video build. Like yours, my first amp was my own design. I started with a flat sheet of scrap aluminum picked from the floor of a trailer shop. Every component and screw was hand picked. It was expensive in the end but worth it. The completed amp is a 5F2A with a C channel horizontal chassis in a 1941 Majestic console record player / radio cabinet with a 12" Jensen C12Q. I wanted different and that's what I have and I couldn't be more pleased with it. I look forward to your next build and thank you for sharing your very nice build.

[@joeles2738]

Nice! I appreciate it and congrats on the successful build

[@StefanoValerilove-coffee]

Very nice job 👍! Bravo!

[@noiseintheoffice]

I'm in the midst of building a little bigger amp with reverb and tremolo. Following this one, I plan to build a 5E3 clone as well. Your video was very helpful for my planning.

[@joeles2738]

Good luck; I'm glad this was helpful!

[@davidsumner6536]

Very nice construction work. I have also really enjoyed building tube equipment this past year. Make sure the solder joints are really hot and fully melted.

[@joeles2738]

Thanks, and yep you definitely have to be careful to avoid cold joints

[@jjdillon2007]

Beautiful build!

[@joeles2738]

Thank you!

[@MrGoodpuma]

I'm really happy with your job and thanks for the tips!

[@joeles2738]

No problem! Glad you liked it

[@noslen954]

Outstanding job!

[@fumeinayuza]

Simply awesome, dude. Much respect!

[@joeles2738]

Thank you!

[@jc5c515]

13:41 u put a smile on my face, I'm a big ds fan 😉 Congrats for the beautiful project, turned out amazing

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! and yeah mark Knopfler is such a great guitarist

[@rickschiller]

There are so many 5E3 clones available and a bunch of kits. Makes sense because the 5E3 Deluxe sounds great, is versatile and a relatively simple circuit. Joe Les took it one step further and built from total scratch. Awesome and damn fine work!

[@joeles2738]

Thanks! It’s definitely a great amp, I’m still playing it every day

[@endall39]

This is really nice work. The only thing that lets it down cosmetically is the grill. That would be easy enough to change, given how it's attached. Some vintage grill weave material would be for more in keeping with the rest of the style and would set it off perfectly, I think. In any case, the box and chassis are gorgeous and sound the part for sure!

[@RetroPlus]

It looks beautiful and sounds cool

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@nodrug2]

Good job, really decent build for the first model. Enjoyed the video.

[@joeles2738]

Thank you, glad you liked it!

[@dappawap]

I went two electronic School and have never built an amp. I am a big failure . I am very impressed with what you have done here.

[@scott9143]

impressive work!

[@OIE82]

Great job. It looks beautiful.

[@joeles2738]

thanks!

[@DavidsMusicChannel]

Nicely done Joe. Enjoyed your video! Subbed! All the best 👍

[@joeles2738]

thank you! I appreciate it

[@guitarrantsandstuff6986]

Nicely done, I really enjoyed this!

[@joeles2738]

Glad you liked!

[@marky2A]

Having re-built several old tube amplifiers, I am hugely impressed. Your attention to keeping it neat and simple looking, while being a complicated work of art is so beautiful. I really like your choice of wood finish instead of tolex. Nothing wrong with tolex, but your amazing routed fitted corners and natural wood grain is just Tops. Just an absolutely beautiful job, and it sounds wonderful.

[@joeles2738]

Thank you, I appreciate it!!

[@kennyh5083]

@@joeles2738 Beautiful job Bro!

[@madaxe79]

Nice work. Also, plenty of room in that cab for a reverb tank if you ever wanted to… lovely

[@psyolent.]

that came out freakin awesome mate. well done

[@joeles2738]

Thanks!!